PhonixPhonix
Pigen Drengen (Go Danish Folk Music
Productions, 2002)
When I first started exploring Scandinavian music, I discovered the Danish folk-rock
group Sorten Muld and at the time, that group represented Danish folk-roots
music for me. While I did enjoy the gothic lyrics gleaned from Danish folk tales
and some of the acoustic instruments that the group touted, their techno-pop
renditions of folk ballads left me cold. (Some groups are better at marrying
techno with folk music than others). However, now another Danish folk-roots
group, of a different nature, Phonix (pronounced foon-icks) has crossed my path
and the group's lively acoustic-based tunes have piqued my curiosity. With music
this wonderful, I wonder what other Danish traditional groups are waiting in the
wings? And will Denmark be able to hold its own against traditional groups from
Finland, Norway and Sweden?
Phonix was born from a folk-roots revival that flourished across Europe during
the 1960's and 70's because members of the group were first introduced to Danish
folk dance music while growing up during the folk-roots revival hey-day.
Founding group member and clarinetist Anja Praest Mikkelsen accompanied her folk
dancing parents to traditional events and accordionist Jesper Vinther Petersen
can also boast a similar childhood, although taking place in a different region
of Denmark. Although Phonix (originally named Fritterne with a name change
occurring in 1995) has morphed a few times during the 1990's and to the present
time, the current lineup includes traditional vocalist-composer Karen Mose
Norgaard, bass clarinetist Anja Mikkelsen, accordionist Jesper Petersen, and
percussionist Jesper Falch.
Phonix's 2002 release, Pigen Drengen features an additional musician,
Anja's sister Katja Mikkelsen on flute, recorder and fiddle. While she penned
many of the songs on the recording, she left the group in 2003 to pursue other
interest. So essentially, I am reviewing a CD that portrays the group's previous
lineup. However, I feel that this group is solid enough to reinvent itself and
it has already done so many times over the years. And in fact, they might be
called the phoenix that rises time and time again from the ashes leading to
changes that force the musicians to stay on their innovative toes. And let's not
use the word innovative lightly here. These musicians imaginatively recreate
traditional folk music by marrying bass clarinet, flute, fiddle, accordion,
percussion and emotive vocals. And they seem to have a lot of fun recording
these lively dance tunes laced with quests involving fickle marriage partners,
murder, shape shifting and tales about trolls that would ignite the late fantasy
author JRR Tolkien's passion for Nordic tales.
The opener, Tyge Hermansen not only introduces listeners to the lively
instrumentation they will enjoy over the course of listening to the CD, it also
sets a dreamy atmosphere of folk tale characters pursuing heroic deeds. Of
course, the songs are sung in Danish so if you don't understand Danish, you will
have to follow along with the English translations that accompany the CD. And it
could get confusing if you don't pursue the translations, since a lively tune
such as Mangelus sports a tale about a troll that shape shifts into a beautiful
maiden that lures her human prey to her mountain lair. In fact, most of the
songs, with the exception of Drommen (Dream) are composed in a major key, yet
many of the tales appearing in the songs, feature themes about death (usually
avoiding it), sex, and murder. The same themes also appear in folk songs of
other Nordic groups including,
Hedningarna (Sweden/Finland),
Varttina (Finland),
Garmarna (Sweden) and Sorten Muld (Denmark) just to name a handful.
Phonix offers a nice blend of instrumentals composed mostly by former member
Katja Mikkelsen and songs with lyrics that are thoughtfully complimented by
Karen Mose's warm honeyed vocals. Accordionist Jesper Petersen's instrumental
Melgven showcases Jesper's composing and performing talents. The song starts off
with a dreamy accordion solo that is soon joined by Anja's clarinet drone tones
and Katja's recorder then later percussionist Jesper Falch's delicious beats.
It's a song that will change the minds of those that equate acoustic
instrumentation with boring music.
This delightful recording will warm the hearts and bodies of its listeners. It's
the kind of music that will cause you to dance or cuddle up next to a toasty
fire. Bring on another round of folk tales and dance tunes.
World Music Central
http://worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20040104170048892